Driving "flat-out"
- Thread starter dkstz
- 24 comments
- 32,062 views
- 1,131
- Slovenj Gradec
- TheNordschleife
English is not my native language, so this explanation is based on gathered info from multiple sources over years 
.
I think driving flat-out means driving with full speed, highest speed possible with that car on that track in driver's opinion. Driving without braking would be stupid, but with driving flat-out brakes are used as little as possible or even better - only when necessary.
They drive like that, when driver's are chasing somebody (usually), attacking the best time on track or trying to get away from very fast chasing driver.
There is also another meaning of that phrase, that I've heard. It is said sometimes, that a corner can be taken flat out (on track), and that would mean, that that corner can be taken at full speed, no need for braking or lifting foot off accelerator at any moment during that corner.
.I think driving flat-out means driving with full speed, highest speed possible with that car on that track in driver's opinion. Driving without braking would be stupid, but with driving flat-out brakes are used as little as possible or even better - only when necessary.
They drive like that, when driver's are chasing somebody (usually), attacking the best time on track or trying to get away from very fast chasing driver.
There is also another meaning of that phrase, that I've heard. It is said sometimes, that a corner can be taken flat out (on track), and that would mean, that that corner can be taken at full speed, no need for braking or lifting foot off accelerator at any moment during that corner.
- 537
= pedal to the metal
- 10,687
- Everywhere
I believe the term is derived from having the accellerator peddle "flat to the floor" and your leg "all the way out", perhaps.
On Top Gear when they do their celebrity runs in the "reasonably priced car", Jeremy always asks them if they were "flat out" around one bend between two straight stretches. The car can handle it but the driver isn't always prepared for it and will usually lift their foot off the accellerator.
On Top Gear when they do their celebrity runs in the "reasonably priced car", Jeremy always asks them if they were "flat out" around one bend between two straight stretches. The car can handle it but the driver isn't always prepared for it and will usually lift their foot off the accellerator.
- 288
Balls to the walls 
- 288
chinko
Not if you know what the hell you are doing
- 426
- GTP_Kutscher80
VTRacingI guess I didn't....
This is what comes from driving flat-out
Yes...it's my car
UUpst!
I Hope You and your co-driver weren´t hurt!
Can you repare the car or is it too much damaged ?
Greetings
Kutscher
- 807
Hi Kutscher,
The funny thing is we actually drove that car out of the stage to get it back to service. The drivetrain was not damaged, neither was most of the suspension.
The chassis on the other hand, we had to throw away. You can see on the photo how much it is twisted, and the roll cage was broken.
We found a new shell and transferred the bits from the old car into the new.
The funny thing is we actually drove that car out of the stage to get it back to service. The drivetrain was not damaged, neither was most of the suspension.
The chassis on the other hand, we had to throw away. You can see on the photo how much it is twisted, and the roll cage was broken.
We found a new shell and transferred the bits from the old car into the new.
- 426
- GTP_Kutscher80
VTRacing
Hm, so you had a bit luck in that bad luck. (Hope you understand what I mean)
Are You driving rallyes (semi) / pro or as your hobby?
- 807
We were fortunate to be able to salvage anything, given how fast we were going.
Last year I was concentrating on the rallying, doing the entire Australian Championship. But this year it's become more of a hobby, doing it for fun. There was a lot of stress and pressure last year. Not to mention the amount of money it cost us.
Last year I was concentrating on the rallying, doing the entire Australian Championship. But this year it's become more of a hobby, doing it for fun. There was a lot of stress and pressure last year. Not to mention the amount of money it cost us.
- 426
- GTP_Kutscher80
VTRacing
Not bad!
Your Subaru is a Group N car, or ?
I would like to race too... But I can´t afford it while I am studying...
Maybe next year... some small races to begin...
- 807
Yeah, start small. I started with a Suzuki Swift GTi. 1300cc twin cam engine, revving to 9500 rpm 👍
My Subaru is Group A, but very close to Group N. Just a slightly bigger restrictor. Plus we can make some modifications to reduce the cost of the car (by making things stronger so they last longer).
My Subaru is Group A, but very close to Group N. Just a slightly bigger restrictor. Plus we can make some modifications to reduce the cost of the car (by making things stronger so they last longer).
- 426
- GTP_Kutscher80
Cost reducing is always a good thing.
Next Year I will have to look through the reglements...
I was thinking of using a Swift GTi as the first car, too! 👍
In Germany the GTi has 101hp stock with the 1300cc engine.
9500rpm? What modifications have you done to the engine?
How many hp did your Swift had?
Next Year I will have to look through the reglements...
I was thinking of using a Swift GTi as the first car, too! 👍
In Germany the GTi has 101hp stock with the 1300cc engine.
9500rpm? What modifications have you done to the engine?
How many hp did your Swift had?
- 807
Kutscher80
Ah, it's hard to remember now (it was about 5 years ago). But it had been re-chipped, bigger exhaust, different fuel pump.
I can't remember if there were any major modifications to the engine, but I don't think so. Maybe slightly higher compression ratio. Suzuki make great engines so basically with the ECU re-tuned you can make much more power.
It made about 95-100 hp at the wheels, so that's roughly 130-140 hp. But we were also running racing fuel (leaded aviation fuel, which you can't do anymore here) which had over 100 octane.
- 426
- GTP_Kutscher80
Great! Sounds good.
If the Suzuki fits in the reglement of the rallyes or races, I try to get a good one!
Thanks for the infos!
If the Suzuki fits in the reglement of the rallyes or races, I try to get a good one!
Thanks for the infos!
- 4,803
- Dearborn, MI
- MotorCtyHamilton
Old thread, but I couldn't resist.
- 20,681
- TenEightyOne
- TenEightyOne
- 11,660
- GTP_Orido
I always think flat out = showing the bigger balls, no lift, no brake, pedal to the metal. Making the corner is another matter 
, come to think of it, for me, it's always related to my younger days of street racing when my mate would dare someone to flat out, how long can you go
, come to think of it, for me, it's always related to my younger days of street racing when my mate would dare someone to flat out, how long can you go Similar threads
